Original songs created by John Britton in 2024.

JDB Original Songs 2024

Creating music with a synth and a mandolin.

Carved In Wood 12 - 30 - 23 V2.4

Making music with a synth and a mandolin.

Maybe 1 - 1-24 V1.4

I needed shoulder surgery in December and am unable to play stringed instruments (except a little mandolin) for six weeks. Trying to keep creating, using midi keyboard. Been listening to a lot of Beatles. Some early Bowie vibes may have crept in.

Mr. Radio Man 1 - 5-24 V1.6

Still can't play stringed instruments, but trying to make music with midi. Rediscovered both Trillian and Stylus RMX on my hard drive!

I Don't Know Much 1 - 6-24 V1.2

Experimenting with songwriting using a midi synth as the main instrument. Shoulder surgery has me unable to play stringed instruments (except a bit of mandolin), so I'm trying different things out.

Stuck With The Blues 1 - 2-24 V1.4

Experimenting with new music software to make a two part song structure. I had  a friend in California add electric guitar which was  fun cross country collaboration.

Have To Go  Away For Some Time 1 - 7-24 V1.3

An original song using mandolin and midi/synth. I am injured and can't play other stringed instruments, but it is a fun challenge to work within the confines of only a mandolin and midi. This song was influenced by Talking Heads, who I used to love.

Pay You Back In Kind 1 - 7-24 V2.2

First draft of an original song about the storms that destroyed the dunes at Ditch Plains in Montauk. It has an uptempo rock vibe with a half speed outro. Although I did not intend it at the outset, the style  reminds me of 1990s Beck.

What Ya Gonna Do 2 - 1-24 V2.2

First time jam with a friend on drums. Jumped into a rock improv groove right away.

On My Mind Lars Jam 2 - 8-24 V1.2

Lars SG Jam F# (Sweet) 2 - 8-24 V4.3

Music session in the cottage. Improvised 12 bar blues in E with Gibson SG and overdubbed bass.

Electric Blues Lars Jam 2 - 9-24 V1.2

A song about the storms that hit Ditch Plains Beach in January 2024 and the damage to our neighbor's property. This was the first attempt at playing the song live with another person. I wrote it after I had shoulder surgery and recorded it originally on midi.

Whatcha Gonna Do (WT JB) 2 - 16 - 24 V3

I wrote this song about the craziness of our current moment and how everyone seems so damn sure about all these complex issues. So much is seen through the lens of partisanship. I was reacting to that. 
 I was just coming off shoulder surgery so I could not play stringed instruments. So fun today to actually try to play my song on guitar with a kick ass drummer.

Don't Know Much (WT JB) 2 - 16 - 24 V1.4

This song is about a life change. I was just coming off shoulder surgery when I wrote this so I could not play stringed instruments. So fun to play my own song on guitar with a kick ass drummer. A bit of a Talking Heads vibe here.

Pay You Back In Kind (WT JB)  2 - 16 - 24 V1.4

Playing with a talented drummer, we tried making some trippy electronica using Spectrasonics Trillian software. First time for either of us to try making electronic music live.

Broke In Too (WT JB) 2 - 16 - 24 V2.2

Original song idea with first two verses and a chorus structure. WIP.

Freeze 2 - 15 - 24 V2.3

Made this song up out of an improv flat picking practice session late at night. Trying to improve my facility with the guitar pick. I made up chords somewhat randomly and came up with four verses.

Acoustic Practice 3 - 12 - 24 V1.5

I wrote this song recently and played it live for the first time with a professional drummer. Still rough, but fun to have new musical ideas take shape with other musicians.

Held my hands up high
Reach up to the sky
Watch the clouds til they move so slow
You might need less than you know

Dreams can show you how to fly
Leap half a mile no question why
I sure hope to meet you there babe
I’m up all night
Thinking bout simple dreams yeah
Thinking bout simple dreams			
My simple dreams

You know what I need so bad
Remedy for a fever that I’ve had
Felt so heavy feet were made of lead
Was I really still in my bed?

Dreams can show you how to fly
Leap half a mile no question why
I sure hope to meet you there babe
I’m up all night
Thinking bout simple dreams yeah
Thinking bout simple dreams			
My simple dreams

Watching you babe watching me
Sit around watching bad TV
Guess it's some way to unwind
But close my eyes to ease my mind

Dreams can show you how to fly
Leap half a mile no question why
I sure hope to meet you there babe
I’m up all night
 Thinking bout simple dreams yeah
Thinking bout simple dreams			
My simple dreams
My simple dreams

Simple Dreams 3 - 13 - 24 V1.2

A new song idea that I played for the first time with a pro drummer. The song is still very much a work in process. This version did not even have lyrics when we played this. I had to overdub lyrics and bass.

I might need a soul to send       for myself
Song was sung for the top      of the shelf

You don’t even know my real name
I might get  in on the game
I got something to say
No doubt I’m going away
Take me

Had to tell you goodbye because of the heat
Once I laid around in the pines
   But there’s nothing to eat

You don’t even know my real name
I know enough to complain
I never know what I feel 
Which makes me feel sorry
Yes for the time being
Yes call me back

You don’t even know my real name
I’m feeling less or more sane
I don’t need to lead a small claim 

You don’t even know my real name
Nothing there could beat up the same babe
I don't need nothing insane
But    songs   that     say     so 
My     best     sane       things
All together
All the batters sing

You Don't Even Know My Real Name (WT JB) 3 - 13 - 24

An original song about the trials of splitting the family up to put kids in school 120 miles apart.

Together Again 3 - 11 - 24 V2.4

Acoustic guitar; folk; Americana; jam band influences; blues; rock; old time; bluegrass; grungey stuff. Even some electro and EDM vibes occasionally. I play a wide mix of music with a lot of different people.